100,000 miles and biking Part Niizh(2)

100,000 miles and biking.

Hmm. Sometimes it feels as if writing is a job, a western job-that is unfilling and distraught. I have heard some cool interviews lately and National and Minnesota public radio. One of those interviews was in references to writers, and the problems associated with being a writer to support one's own self and family. Maybe one day i will write about it-but for now let's just say that i got a lot of satisfaction and tons of Hey, just now Keith secola stopped by and told me he would meet me in the coffe shop. So, that's cool. Me and Keith met about ten years ago in the casino back home-in St. croix, the reservation. At that time he played in the Don Saros room, and yes-Don was a late relative, my Dads uncle to be exact.

Will write and have a pic or two of me and Keith.

JaY

Okay, I am back and Keith is back on the road. We had a blast the few hours that I got to spend with him. I am trying to upload some of our conversation sharing of experiences, but, i am struggling with this blog sight.

Back to a few things; 100,000 miles and biking is well, what can i say, i will let the pic show for itself. However, when me and Keith sat down to first, have coffee. The room was extra charged and I really don't think his coffee nor mine needed caffeine, our energy was as pure and nontoxic as energy can get. Plain and simple.

I first met Keith around ten years ago at our casino( I am repeating myself) but, he remembered the place and he remembered my sister who was also with me as well.

This game of catch up and intimate exchanging of wisdom, that me and Keith omitted from one another, was moving, stunning and very humbling. We, or i should say that the Creator has brought en us together to re-unite and what should i say..........learn more avenues that the Tricksters, false medicine men( he terms them as P.M.M or something to that effect)

I will try and post my next blog with mine and Keiths discussions........I have so much to share..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Jay

A very warm comment

I was just given a great compliment. I must say I thought the comment was going to be more capital punishment. But, to my surprise no. I was just sent this and I wanted to share with all the readers, fans, idols, Na. As if I am that known. But seriously, the haters can hate on this..........

My name is Karen DeJesus. I am the Family Housing Support Specialist here at MIWRC. Our Director Suzanne shared your email with all of us. I read your WHOLE blog! You paint a very vivid picture with your words. I could envision the places, feel the cold or warmth you described, hear the background noises of the wood and the elders homes, taste the CAKE (ayee!) I could even smell the wild rice you would have cooked. Thank you for being you, don't ever stop writing and telling these stories. Your expression is like the cumulative thoughts of many who feel the anguish and appalling disgust when we witness the suffering of our own people on a daily basis. Especially the single suffering of our elders and children who deserve more from us all.I often ask myself, when, how will it all ever change??? I question my purpose here and whether or not it makes a difference. It gets real tough some days.But then I am reminded of the goodness in us all when I hear words like yours, when I see someone succeed from a little assistance, when I witness a total change in a persons perspective because of something one of us said or did and when I get to see people grow and change for the better it keeps me going and it redeems my hope and energy. Mucho-Miigwech for the Shout-out! You are like an American Indian Tu-pac telling us to keep our MF’g heads up (Ayee!) and today... I'll keep bobbing mine and keep smiling all through the work day because it’s even greater knowing that just the spirit of this agency has infected others and that effect fuels greater efforts and greater outcomes!I share your goal to see indigenous people WHOLE and I humbly ask the Creator to continue to bless you and guide your influence on your journey. Ah-ho

100,000 miles and biking

Yes, it has been a long winter (did i say long) and I have not had the opportunity to write for some time. Spring has come into full bloom and i have had many opportunities to further my Spiritual development and gain physical, mental and emotional maturity-nothing a Doctorate or Masters degree can ever touch or limit.

In the past few months, I have witnessed many deaths, a brush with death myself and countless adventures that would make the average man buckle, crack and perish in their professional careers. I am not implying that I possess god like powers, but I can say that I know what Faith is- in it's dynamic form and what it can do to modern day problems and people who in general, are our problems. Modern day science always tells us about " opposites attract." However, this is true on may levels even in faiths all over the world. I have witnessed bad Carma, medicine, and bad vibes-all because I choose to have positive energy-people and lessons in my life. I guess i understand a little more about negative people-who tend to be evil in their thoughts and actions. It seems as if the world moves and takes care of these negative people. Well, i use to think that, but now, as i write, i am seeking my answer. Believe me, i would love to be negative and continue to live the lifestyle as "crab in the bucket." But, it is not my path and neither is negative behavior and mentality. Do I acknowledge the negative energies in my life-YES! If there is negative people-energies- and we cross paths, best believe I will acknowledge and fight you IF i have to.

Now, moving on to the positive regard and contentment in my life. My family, my children, grand-children-Yes- I said that. They are with me.

This PIC i am posting is a new friend of the family and to all First nations peoples. The PIC is of myself and Brian. Brian is from Massachusetts. He has been riding his bike for two weeks straight and is continuing his journey to Seattle than on to CALI FOR N-I-A!!!!!!!

In all actuality, I was running a small errand for Ni-nitaw wis Reggie Garbow. Reggis is both me and my wife's relative. But, me and my wife are not related- not yet!!!!JK, Native humor there. Anyhow, rather than just run to the Grand market, where all grocier items are outrageously priced( Have to feed that corporation of the Mille Lacs Band). I decided to head to the Mille LAcs marathon convenience store. I than could pick and price line the items that Reggie needed and I could pick up a white mans/black mans fishing fishing license. I say a black mans license because the white house is not ran by just white people anymore. Now it includes a black man. My Great Black father----------DARTH VADER----------------------------------

No, just kidding. As I entered the store, I could not help notice this peculiar looking dude. I could tell he was biking. He appeared not quite professional, but yet I noticed he had heart and showed that he was a truly free man. His Spirit was un-tainted by the restraints of modern day education and everything the education/Wiindigo Spirit touched. From the shoes that we ware, to the toothpaste that we shove in our mouths to the languages that we speak, modern day education has tainted and continues to dominate our lives. This dude that I was meeting for the first time, was just like me and was a white version of myself!!!!! Nerdy-homely and god-damn smelly!!!!! Just teasing. But, when i approached him, I was like "man where you from?" From Massachusetts- he replied. " Okay- where are you going?" " The pacific- Brian replied. So, now at this point in time, i was thinking-----PACIFIC- PACIFIC WHAT? ISLANDS- FIGI- GUAM-OCEAN---WHAT??????????

To BE CONTINUED............................................................................................

Where are all the First Nation elders??

I have had many occasions to help many different people in my life. One particular event comes to mind.

In the summer of 1998 I was driving back from Thunder bay, Ontario. I had been on the road for about on hour and I needed to releave my bladder. So, I stopped by a wayside rest. Unfortunately, there was no rest room facilities. Upon exiting my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro, I had noticed an elderly couple exiting there vehicle. So, the young and energetic man I was, I decided to walk up to the elderly couple and ask them if they needed assistance. They both said "no" and that they would be okay. So, I decided to visit with them. Upon many questions and answers, they had asked me if I was Ojibwa, I than excitingly said "yeah."

They than decided to inform me that they were just coming back form Canada. The elderly White man had stated that he went to go and visit a healer in some remote reservation north of Thunder bay. He had told me that he drove all the way from Illinois. I was amazed to know at this point, that, there were non-First Nation peoples who sought out elderly teachings and wisdom. I was really excited. What I than noticed was that this elderly man was limping, favoring one of his legs. I had asked him what had happened and he said he didn't know. He had woke up one day and his leg wouldn't work right anymore. Upon talking with him and his wife for about twenty minutes, I really told them that I needed to go and take a "walk." So, the two wished me well and told me that they would pray to Jesus to keep guiding me. I told them that I was thankful for being able to meet them and that I wouldn't forget them.

I than walked up a hill and continued up and around a walkway. This is where I decided it would be far enough away from people to releave my bladder. As I turned to continue my walk, I ran into the elderly white man. He was tired and somewhat out of breath. So, I decided to ask him if he was okay, he eagerly said "yes-and that he would be alright." I than, at that point, decided to tell him a secret....a secret of Gichigaming! I told him how I once was told by an elder named Bill Sutton about his experience with Gichigaming......Lake Superior.

I had related to this elderly man, how one time Bill had to help an old woman of his tribe. I had said that Bill had decided to take some water out of Lake Superior and bring it back to his reservation, Lac Courte Orreiles or LCO. I than had said, that, Bill had taken that water and wiped it all over the old womens entire body. To both Bill and the old Lady's surprise, the old women had gotten better and her pain had eventually disappeared.

The elderly man was very thankful and baffled. I than had said, " If you need to use some of that water form our sacred lake, you are more than welcome, just put some tobacco in the water and explain what you are going to use it for." Afterwards, we decided to part paths and go back to our cars. I walked down the path and he went his own way. As I was on my way back to my car, I had stopped a few times and immersed myself in the overwhelming beauty and greatness of the landscape. As I arrived to my car, I happened to look over at the elderly couples car. I than walked over to their car to investigate. To my surprise and my bewilderment, I had noticed the elderly white man had looked way different. His eyes and demeanor had changed. He was sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle and looked at me. He than said" you know-young man, I don't know what you did to me up there on the hill, but when I came down that hill, I wanted to run and sprint. All the pain in my legs is gone."

I than, at that point realized how powerful sharing information was. "Whatever you have, whatever you did to me is a blessing-don't ever let anyone take that from you" said the man.

I than, told him that he was welcome and that I had hoped that their trip home back to Illinois was safe and smooth.

His wife had said, " God bless you child-you really are an angel and our prayers are always with you."

HMMMM.

I just wonder where they are now.

OGABEK

Canada

I have recently visited CANADA and it was another great experience. I know I stated some time ago that I wasn't going to "allow" the border patrol to see my birth certificate. Boy, was I in the wrong. I guess I told a white lie. For that, i apologize and come clean.
I was asked to help my adopted relative conduct some training to his new staff. 99.99 % in attendance were all Canadian citizens, except me of course. So, if I count as a mere .1%, I will take that in positive stride and health. It has been like ten years since I have been to the "other" side. I am not referring to heaven or the Spirit world, but Canada. Canada has not changed much, except the fact, that, I was returning there to do some work. I was very overwhelmed and ecstatic.
When I was on my way to Canada, I could not help but think of what the word "Canada" meant to Anishinabeg peoples in the states, both in the past and the present.
For the most part, most Anishinabeg who have been raised on the state side see Canada as a haven of Spiritual knowledge and a starting point for spirituality. I must admit, about ten years ago, I thought something magical was going to happen to me when living and visiting Canada. But, to my disappointment and amazement, I had witnessed first hand, the devestating and sophisticated effects of western principals and how these attitudes disrupted the whole network of Aboriginal peoples around the area. This included, the newborns and how they were being raised to the elders and how they were divided into their own reserves.. I had this image, that Canada was a Spiritual place to live and that I was going to be a "better" and "wiser" person, because I was going to live in Canada. Yes, I became wiser, wiser in the sense that I lived through a phi sod of stereotypes and demeanor's. I guess, at the time I didn't fully comprehend the big deal of transporting gifts, goods and my personal belongings into another country. Yes, I have travelled to other countries, but getting into a bordering country is one thing. Coming back and entering is another experience and horror.
FEAR. That is what is instilled in the US-Canada border. Both, Canadian and US Authorities blanket you with numerous trick questions, when entering and exiting either country. There job is to keep the borders safe from illegal elements.
Upon me and Mikes(my adpoted relative) arrival to the Canadian border, I could not help but feel insecure, slightly nervous, excited and scared. Feeling your own feelings is a great experience. However, feeling and picking up on vibes that most peoples of the worlds do not always understand and comprehend is TOTALLY NONSENSE AND DEMEANING. What I mean is that, the feelings of being scared, nervous and all that is related to those feelings, was the magical vibes that Authorities make their livings on. Authorities count on these "vibes" to keep you on your toes, guessing and these feelings keep you out of thier country, if they suspect, that, you are a hostile or a rogue.
And, this is one of many feelings that I had re-visited. I had this overwhelming feeling that I was guilty. Guilty of who I was travelling with, guilty for being dressed the way that I was and guilty for being myself and for telling the truth.

TO BE CONTINUED>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The 500 Mile Trip

I, and half of my family, just recently returned from a winter Drum ceremony. For those of you reading or dare to read, it is a ceremony where people come to dance, replenish their sacred energies and YES, play video games. Most of these people who played the games and continually had to text were adolescents, know it all adults and elders who do not have the courage to lead the people. While seated at the drum, I had noticed that half of the attendees were engaged in something artificial and unintelligent. After visiting with my wife, she had made the clear point..." that people, today, do not know how to just be."

With that fuel and wisdom, I have a more defined outlook on my Aboriginal peoples who attend ceremonies. This quote goes beyond the educational/academia persona that defines these peoples lives. It is there culture away form the true-Aboriginal culture. Do I blame these people for the way they are? Hell-Yes. They are all wrong and I am 100% right. Not because I have attended college or that I have a full time job. It is right because true healing and leadership consists of 100% participation and dedication. A person cannot expect healing from a ceremony and to be relieved of the stresses of life, if they are playing a video game, texting or engaging in discussion that pertains to wants and desires in life. So- with this in mind, I say to those few out there: I have had visions of some of you Anishinabeg who are now sell outs ,over a decade ago. I have seen some of your paths. I did not ask to see any of your paths or lives, I was just chosen to. I seen sacred energies in the form of great Eagles come to you with feathers from their bodies. But-again, some of you chose not to except the energy gifts from the Eagles or other sacred animal energies that exist. At the time, I was wondering what I was being shown. I did not understand. I wanted much to- act as if i did not see anything. But, now- 10 to thirteen years later, I UNDERSTAND SOME OF WHY SOME OF YOU ANISHINABEG CAN NOT JUST BE-YOU HAVE TO BE CONNECTED TO SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOURSELVES. IF YOU DO NOT FEEL CONTENT AT A CEREMONY, YOU WILL NEVER FEEL 100% CONTENT. YOU MAY THINK THAT YOU ARE CONTENT, BUT TIME HAS TOLD ON YOU AND THE SPIRITUAL ENERGIES THAT HAVE BEEN ON OUR EARTH FOR MILLENNIA-HAVE TOLD ON YOU!!!!

But, who am I? I am but another crab in the bucket. I am the crab that is going to push your ass over the edge to Spiritual freedom, while I sit and listen to all the other Crabs. I, on the other hand will continue to be content with all the other crabs, while some of you who I have helped and given my life for-will crawl away from the bucket, hoping to get a better life in the white world. But, Are you really getting it better or are you just getting more material THANGS out of life?????

Jay

Elders

I have recently been exposed to many trials in life the past few months. Some of these include; no heat, teenagers in the Judaical system, self acclaimed medicine men, Elders who are in the very needy process and numerous other life enhancing experiences.

Elders of any society have gone un-noticed, not considered equal and driven to the point of feeling hopelessness and dis pair. Dis pair, to the fact , that, these elders, who ever they are, should be heard and taken care of much more than they really are. For instance, I know of three elderly Ojibwa men who in all, are experiencing first hand, the devastation of the economy and their life's savings. All three men, directly benefit from their casino's -the Grand casino Millelacs and the Grand casino Hinckley. These men all receive "per-ca pita" payments from the casinos, but this in turn, is pennies to the dollar. They need more. They need more human support and people who will listen to their struggles and stories. One of these men, is a chronic alcoholic. One of them is a retired military personal and the other elderly man has lost the use of both of his legs. However, he gets around better than some able bodied two leggeds.

I , recently had the opportunity to bring him(the one in the wheelchair) home, a home that had no heat, due to the ill discrepancies in his tribal referral system. Upon arriving at his home, I had to fetch his wheel chair out from the back of my SUV. For of those people who do not live in the northern central part of the united states, the weather was a cool minus 23 degrees below zero. When I finally got him into his house, both of us were relieved. I was glad to have been part of the process. In Anishinabeg customs, we are taught to take care of our old people, even if that means, having to put ones personal stuff to the side. I have always lived by this teaching, because one day, I hope to be old and the teaching will come full circle and benefit me when I am old. However, when I entered his house, I could not believe the fact that none of his grown children had anything prepared for their relative to eat. So, what did this elder decide to do? He grabbed a handful of potato chips and ate them as they were a full course meal. He than asked me if i wanted some cake. Because I cannot refuse an elder, I decided to have a piece of his cake. It was a chocolate mousse cake, sprinkled with chocolate candies. Now, as a person who is designed to care, I asked this elder if he had any Wild Rice. Because, most wild rice is natural and does not contain any preservatives, I tried to get this elder to think of what he was eating. He finally told me that he had wild rice and that is as far as the conversation went. But I could not help to imagine how long it would be-before his eating habits would catch up to his health. It was a thought that was unbearable. So, I hinted to him that I could cook some wild rice and he declined my offer and ate his chocolate mousse. At this time, I decided to visit with his great-grand child and his daughter, who also, was the babies grandmother. I asked how old the baby was and the grandmother said " just over a year." As I turned to leave, I confirmed in the Anishinabeg language that I would see him again. I than, left for my aunts house. What I could not believe is the fact, that, their is a million dollar casino right next door to this elders home and he is without propane for his furnace.

As I entered my aunts house, I told her son and niece my experience with the particular elder. They, the niece and son, decided to call the higher ups in the tribe to see what could be done for this elder. Upon a few phone calls, they were left with more questions and concerns about ALL of the elders of the tribe.

Earlier in the day, I had given my cousin(the niece-to my aunt) a ride to her house to drop off a few things. What she had related to me first hand-was pathetic and pitiful. She had begun to tell me of this elder she was living with and taking care of. She had said that this elder could not use the health services called Circle of Life. Circle of life is a health care program for the band members of any particular tribe in the United States. She had said, that this elder had to pay for a nurse out of his own pocket. Mind you, that this elderly man is a retired from the military and gets a pension every month. She had also said, that the Circle of Life funds were all tapped out and that was one of the reasons this elder had to foot his own costs. Plus, he used up his last Circle of life funds to purchase a hearing aid, in which the local clinic had lost.

What I wonder is this; How long will it be before this elder passes on because he is sick and tired of living on this earth? There is much more to his story, like the fact that he has a college graduate living with him that is so worried about his own career, that he can not even fathom the thought of taking care of an elder.

The third elder is in dire straights and in need of some serious health care and services. He has a relative that lives with him who is known to use Meth and a few other drugs. This elder has been intoxicated on alcohol for the past few weeks. He has a brand new elder home-a home that is showing signs of unhealthiness, poor living arrangements and a party house. My aunt had told me, that this elder does not know if he is coming or going.

To Be Continued.....

Jay